Stand for showcase display of goods in boxes or packages

ABSTRACT

A stand for the display of goods contained in boxes or packages, characterized by having a flat rectangular base with four lateral walls two of which face each other and have a lip parallel to the plane of the said base. These lips, one being wider than the other, point toward each other and leave a rectangular gap between them. A false bottom is adapted for sliding movement on the base to abut against the aforementioned wide-lipped wall or to move away from it while being kept under the corresponding lip. Stops are provided for restraining the said sliding movement.

Ilnite States Patent Fortannaz [541 STAND FOR SHOWCASE DISPLAY OF GOODS IN BOXES OR PACKAGES [72] Inventor: Marcel Fortannaz, Echandens (Vaud), Switzerland [22] Filed: Jan. 20, 1970 211 Appl. No.: 4,264

[58] Field of Search.206/45.l9, 75, 76, 45.14, 45.15; 312/114, 304, 299, 245

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,353,522 7/1944 Stern ..206/45. 1 5

[ 1 Aug. 29, 1972 Primary Examiner-George E. Lowrance Assistant Examiner-Stephen P. Garbe Attorney-Waters, Roditi, Schwartz & Nissen [57 ABSTRACT A stand for the display of goods contained in boxes or packages, characterized by having a flat rectangular base with four lateral walls two of which face each other and have a lip parallel to the plane of the said base. These lips, one being wider than the other, point toward each other and leave a rectangular gap between them. A false bottom is adapted for sliding movement on the base to abut against the aforementioned wide-lipped wall or to move away from it while being kept under the corresponding lip. Stops are provided for restraining the said sliding movement.

6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures STAND FOR SHOWCASE DISPLAY OF GOODS IN BOXES OR PACKAGES SUMMARY OF INVENTION The stand according to this invention is intended as an anti-pilfering device, in the sense that it allows the merchandise on display to be locked inside and compels the purchasing to approach a salesperson or attendant in order to obtain the goods.

For this purpose, the stand of the invention is characterized by a flat rectangular base with four lateral sides of which two face each other and have a lip parallel to the plane of the said base; both these lips, one being wider than the other, point toward each other leaving a rectangular gap between them with a false bottom laid on the first lip and ending against the wider-lipped wall such that a sliding movement of said false bottom on the base causes an abutting on the aforementioned wide-lipped wall or a moving away from it while keeping it all the time under the corresponding lip, beneath which stops are provided for restraining the said sliding movement.

As will be seen from the following description of one form of construction given by way example, this arrangement enables the safety measures stated above to be satisfied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two superposed stands of the invention for the exhibition of Wristwatches in oblong cases: and

FIG. 2 is a vertical section on enlarged scale relating to one of the stands of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The stand, shown in full lines in the lower part of FIG 1 and in section in FIGS. 2, comprises a planar rectangular base 1 forming a lidless box having four sides 2, 3, 4 and 5. Sides 2 and 4 face each other and end respectively in lips 6 and 7.

These lips point toward each other and lie in planes parallel to the base 1. Moreover, lip 7 is wider than lip 6. Between the two, there is accordingly a rectangular opening of the box as aforesaid.

On the base of the box, on the inside thereof, a false bottom 8 is positioned. The bottom 8 slides along the centerline of the unit cutting the two lipped sides 2-6, 4-7.

Under the wider lip 7, this false bottom has a side 9 which can butt up against side 4 (top position shown in broken line in FIG. 2), or contrariwise be moved away from it (lower position shown in full line) while remaining concealed beneath lip 7.

Locking screws 10, connected to false bottom 8 and running through slots 11 in base 1, allow the sliding false bottom to be fixed either in its aforesaid top position or in lowered position. It is preferred to have two slots 11 and corresponding locking screws as shown in broken line in the top portion of FIG. 1. As can be seen, the operating part of the locking screws can be reached only at the back of the stand.

FIG. 1 shows an example of location of such stands on display and the possibility of superimposing several of them in an assembly which will be attached to a wall by means of footpieces 12 and 13, keeping the stands in l ri f 29291 i tiie s iiown, it was assumed that the stand is used for the display of Wristwatches I4 laid out side by side in oblong cases 15.

FIG. 2 shows that if these cases are of suitable size, the arrangement described allows them to be held safely inside the stand.

Considering the broken-line outline 15' in FIG. 2, representing a case, it is seen that with the false bottom in the so-called top position, it is possible to work the said case under lip 7 in order to make it enter the stand over the top of lip 6. If, after this has been done, the case is allowed to slide or drop into position 15 shown in unbroken line, its lower end is locked behind lip 6 and it can no longer be extracted from the stand, since it will be held down by the wider top ledge 7. If, in addition, the false bottom 8 is now lowered and locked in its bottom full-lined position, its side 9 will bar any lifting of the case, which is thus effectively secured inside the stand. Someone wishing to acquire a watch illicitly will have to reach his hand in back of the stand or stands, unlock same and then follow that up by sliding the frame, all of which is a maneuver that will attract attention.

Instead of ordinary locking screws, it is also possible to provide some other type of locking mechanism such as one employing a secret spring or requiring a key.

Watches or other objects exposed in accordance with the invention will not have to be covered by glass or otherwise protected.

It is clear that even after one or more of the cases 15 have been removed, the remaining cases will only be able to slide sideways. It is impossible to tilt or twist them in such a way as to free them from the hold of lips 6 and 7. They are, furthermore, held in and down sideways by the sides 3 and 5.

What is claimed is:

1. Display apparatus comprising a box including a base, parallel sides on said base and lips on said sides extending towards each other, a displaceable bottom on said base including a side concealed by and extending towards one of said lips and movable with the bottom between positions in which articles are locked into the box or removable from or insertable in to the box, and means to lock the said bottom against displacement, the lips being coplanar and one lip being wider than the other.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising further parallel sides on said base and extending between the first said parallel sides.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lips define a rectangular gap through which said articles are inserted and removed.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said base is provided with a slot and said means includes a bolt on said bottom extending through said slot and a nut on the bolt to restrain the bolt from movement in said slot.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said bottom is displaceable through a distance which is less than the width of the wider lip.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the lips are parallel to the base and bottom. 

1. Display apparatus comprising a box including a base, parallel sides on said base and lips on said sides extending towards each other, a displaceable bottom on said base including a side concealed by and extending towards one of said lips and movable with the bottom between positions in which articles are locked into the box or removable from or insertable in to the box, and means to lock the said bottom against displacement, the lips being coplanar and one lip being wider than the other.
 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising further parallel sides on said base and extending between the first said parallel sides.
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lips define a rectangular gap through which said articles are inserted and removed.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said base is provided with a slot and said means includes a bolt on said bottom extending through said slot and a nut on the bolt to restrain the bolt from movement in said slot.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said bottom is displaceable through a distance which is less than the width of the wider lip.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the lips are parallel to the base and bottom. 